Civil War 154th NY Infantry Sgt Joshua Pettit Identified Portrait Brooch C. 1860

  

HISTORIC IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR SOLDIER PORTRAIT BROOCH - CIRCA 1860s. My partner got this while he was in North Carolina a few years ago. He was helping a friend clean out his house after 50 years to move to Palm springs. Up for sale is a rare, historically significant piece of American Civil War and Victorian history.

This is an authentic, completely original mid-Victorian mourning/keepsake portrait brooch containing an identified photograph of Sgt. Pettit of the 154th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Pettit served honorably in the Union Army's Ambulance Corps, surviving brutal campaigns including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Lookout Mountain.

His wartime experiences are a matter of deep historical record, captured in his published diaries, The Snatchers: Diary of a Civil War Ambulance Sergeant. This brooch represents an incredible, museum-quality heirloom connecting 19th-century sentimental jewelry with the harsh realities of the American Civil War. ARTIFACT DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION DETAILS. Front Aesthetic: Beautiful, thick black enamel or onyx decorative border with a gold-toned inner bezel framing the hand-cut oval portrait. Reverse Hardware: Features a classic 19th-century tube hinge and a simple hand-bent "C" catch (no safety wheel, accurate to the era).

Pin Stem: The thick metal pin stem is characteristically elongated, extending well past the edge of the brooch frame-a design element specifically engineered to weave securely through thick 1860s textiles and cloaks. Backplate: Shows a beautiful, authentic hand-hammered dimpled texture, indicating bench-made craftsmanship rather than later mass-produced factory stamping.

Overall Condition: Excellent antique condition given its 160-year age. Metal & Finish: Displays a gorgeous, untouched natural dark patina on the brass/base-metal reverse. The enamel or onyx on the front remains highly intact. Mechanism: The pin stem and tube hinge are strong, fully functional, and secure. Interior: The original hand-cut photo, glass crystal cover, and textured fabric backing cushion are all present, completely original, and fit snugly inside the bezel framework.

Packaging: This item will be packed with extreme care using archival-safe materials. Note to Buyers: Please view all high-resolution photos closely as they form part of the physical description. Do not miss the chance to add a fully identified, publication-linked piece of Union Civil War history to your collection!